Multi-purpose tile spacing tool

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose tile spacing tool is disclosed. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool provides multiple functions; including obtaining a desired grout gap spacing between adjoining tiles, a lipping alignment surface tool, and a wedge for urging tiles into a desired alignment. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool includes an elongate plate having a width corresponding to a desired grout gap. A first end has a blunt squared profile of a uniform thickness, and a second end has a tapered edge for wedging tile alignments. A first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is joinable with a second via a first notch defined at an intermediate position of a bottom edge of the elongate plate with a second notch defined along a top edge to provide for a corner tool between adjoining tiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tile materials, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for installing tile.

Tile installation requires accurate space of a grout gap between tiles for receiving a grout. The tiles should be laid with a minimized lippage and thin set mortar must be cleared from the grout gap. Wall tile sometimes requires a wedge for leveling each course.

Other tile spacers can't clean mortar from joints and be used as a lippage gauge. Likewise, other tile spacers, and clip together to make a perfect cross, and wedge up tile for leveling walls.

As can be seen, there is a need for improved tile spacers that are more versatile, with multiple functions besides simple grout gap spacing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a multi-purpose tile spacing tool is disclosed. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool includes an elongate plate having a length, a width, and a height, the width corresponding to a desired grout gap between adjoining tiles. A first end has a blunt squared profile of a uniform thickness that is suitable squaring an alignment of an edge at the desired grout gap width. A second end has a tapered wedge with a minimal thickness at a distal end of the tapered wedge and diverging to the uniform thickness at a proximal end of the tapered wedge. A first notch is defined at an intermediate position of a bottom edge of the elongate plate. A second notch is defined along a top edge of the elongate plate.

In some embodiment, the first notch of a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is joinable with the second notch of a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool so that the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool form a cross shape spacer in which the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is aligned orthogonal to the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool.

In other aspects of the invention, a method of setting tiles is disclosed. The method includes laying a first tile in a thin set material applied to a surface of a substrate to be tiled. After laying a second tile adjoining the first tile a multi-purpose tile spacing tool is applied in a grout gap between the first tile and the second tile. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool is formed as an elongate plate having a length, a uniform width, and a height. The uniform width corresponds to a desired grout gap between the firs tile and the second tile. A first end has a blunt squared profile of the uniform width. A second end has a tapered edge with a minimal thickness at a distal end of the tapered wedge and diverging to the uniform width at a proximal end of the tapered wedge. A tab protrudes from a top edge of the plate between the first end and the second end.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool, shown in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool, joined as a corner spacer.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool for joining as a corner spacer.

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along 5-5 in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along 6-6 in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 is a section view showing the use of the flat bottom edge 11.

FIG. 8 is a section view showing the use of the flat bottom edge 11.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool, shown in an alternate usage.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool, showing use of the leveling wedge end 12.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool, shown in alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-purpose tile spacing tool that is formed as a rigid plastic spacer/wedge that is dimensioned to provide accurate spacing between one or more adjoining tiles. The tile spacer may also be utilized to cleans excess thin set mortar from a grout gap between the adjoining tile for application of a grout to the joints. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool includes a tile lippage gauge and has a wedge for wall tile leveling.

As shown in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-11 , a multipurpose tile spacing tool is shown. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool is formed as an elongate plate having a length, a width, and a height. The multipurpose tile spacing tool may be formed of a substantially rigid material, such as a Poly propylene plastic, which lends itself to injection mold production.

The width of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool is dimensioned to correspond to a desired spacing between adjoining tiles, commonly referred to as a grout gap. The height may be selected to correspond to a thickness of a tile 22. A first end 10 of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool has a blunt squared profile of a uniform thickness that is suitable squaring an alignment of an edge at a desired grout gap width. A second end 12 of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool has a tapered edge having a minimal thickness at a distal end and diverging to the uniform thickness at a proximal end.

A first notch 14 is defined at an intermediate position of a bottom edge of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool. The bottom edge 11 of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool is flat between the first end and the second end, defining a lippage gauge, to ensure a uniform flatness of a top surface of the adjoining tiles 22. A second notch 16 is defined along a top edge of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool. The first notch 14 and the second notch 16 are dimensioned such that a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is joinable with a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool so that the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool form a cross shape spacer in which the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is aligned orthogonal to the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool. As seen in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , interconnection of the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool are reversible.

A tab 18 protrudes from the top edge of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool. The tab 18 provides for an improved gripping surface for placement and removal of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool between adjoining tiles. The tab 18 may also include a hole 20 to provide for insertion of a tool such as a rod or a string to facilitate extraction of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool in the event it becomes lodged in the thin set material 24 utilized to secure the tile 22 to a substrate, such as a surface of a sub floor 26 or a wall. The tab 18 and hole 20 may also be utilized to draw the first end 10 through the grout gap between adjoining tiles to clear excess thin set material 24 that may have infiltrated the grout gap, as shown in reference to FIG. 7 .

As seen in reference to FIG. 2 , the multi-purpose tile spacing tool may be used alone or in combination for alignment and spacing of adjoining tiles 22. When utilized alone, the multi-purpose tile spacing tool is placed in the grout gap between adjacent side edges of adjoining tiles 22. When the adjoining tiles are brought into abutment with the multi-purpose tile spacing tool, the tiles 22 will be spaced apart by the thickness of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool. When joined together, the multi-purpose tile spacing tool may be utilized to obtain a desired spacing between adjoining corners of a plurality of tiles 22 to obtain a desired spacing and a desired orthogonal alignment of the plurality of tiles 22.

As seen in reference to FIG. 9 , the multi-purpose tile spacing tool may also be utilized as a wedge to facilitate proper placement of adjoining tiles. The wedge is typically necessary when tiling on a vertical surface, such as s a wall, where the tiles may tend to droop due to gravity. When the tab 18 is utilized for spacing between adjacent tiles 22, the user can insert the distal end of the wedge 12 into the gap and slide the wedge over the tab 18 to urge a superjacent tile 23 upwardly from the subjacent tile 22.

The unique design and configuration of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool creates a perfect grout joint spacing plus it may be used as a lippage gauge, and it cleans excess thin set mortar from joints, and has a leveling wedge. My hard plastic spacer/wedge provides accurate tile grout spacing as a single or clipped together to make a perfect cross for accurate corner spacing. The multi-purpose alignment tool of the present invention eliminates the need for carrying multiple spacers, such as concern spacers, side edge spacers, and inline tile spacers to complete a tiling project.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-purpose tile spacing tool, comprising: an elongate plate having a length, a width, and a height, the width corresponding to a desired grout between adjoining tiles; a first end has a blunt squared profile of a uniform thickness that is suitable squaring an alignment of an edge at a desired grout gap width; a second end has a tapered wedge with a minimal thickness at a distal end of the tapered wedge and diverging to the uniform thickness at a proximal end of the tapered wedge; a first notch defined at an intermediate position of a bottom edge of the elongate plate; and a second notch defined along a top edge of the elongate plate.
 2. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of claim 1, wherein the first notch of a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is joinable with the second notch of a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool so that the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool form a cross shape spacer in which the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is aligned orthogonal to the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool.
 3. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge is flat between the first end and the second end, defining a lippage gauge, to ensure a uniform flatness of a top surface of the adjoining tiles.
 4. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of claim 3, further comprising: a tab protruding from the top edge of the elongate plate, the tab providing for an improved gripping surface for placement and removal of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool between adjoining tiles.
 5. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of claim 4, further comprising: a hole extending through the tab to provide for insertion of a tool to facilitate an extraction of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool.
 6. A method of setting tiles, comprising: laying a first tile in a thin set material applied to a surface of a substrate to be tiled; laying a second tile adjoining the first tile; applying a multi-purpose tile spacing tool in a grout gap between the first tile and the second tile, the multi-purpose tile spacing tool formed as an elongate plate having a length, a uniform width, and a height, the uniform width corresponding to a desired grout gap between the firs tile and the second tile, a first end has a blunt squared profile of the uniform width, a second end has a tapered edge with a minimal thickness at a distal end of the tapered wedge and diverging to the uniform width at a proximal end of the tapered wedge, and a tab protruding from a top edge of the plate between the first end and the second end.
 7. The method of setting tiles of claim 6, further comprising: inserting the first end into the grout gap; grasping the tab; and drawing the first end through the grout gap to remove an excess of the thin set material from the grout gap.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining a flat lippage between the first tile and the second tile by placement of a flat bottom edge of the elongate plate along a top surface of the first tile and the second tile.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: placing a plurality of tiles in an adjoining pattern defining a corner between each of the plurality of tiles; joining a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool with a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool, wherein each of the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool have a first notch defined in a bottom edge of the elongate plate between the first end and the second end, and a second notch defined in a top edge of the elongate plate, adjacent to the tab, the first multi-purpose tool and the second multi-purpose tool defining a cross having orthogonal sides; and inserting the joined first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool in the corner.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: inserting the tab of a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool between a superjacent tile and a subjacent tile applied to a vertical substrate; and inserting the wedge of a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool in abutment with the tab to urge the superjacent tile into a desired alignment. 